Portable cooking stove



April 24, 1956 v. L. KEEPER 2,742,893

PORTABLE COOKING STOVE Filed Jan. 26, 1951 2 Sheets-Sheet l 45 um, KEFFEQ 4. INVENTOR If Mes/v52, BEEHLEE, VVQBQEL fjqE/ez/s ATTORNEYS- April 24, 1956 v. KEFFER 2,742,893

PORTABLE COOKING STOVE Filed Jan. 26, 1951 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 VEe/v I. KEFF'EQ,

INVENTOR. A UEBA/EQ, BEEHLEE,

,- United States Patent PORTABLE COOKING STOVE Vern L. Ketfer, Los Angeles, Calif. Application January 26, 1951,Serial No. 207,872 3-Claims. (Cl; 126-38) This invention relates to cooking stoves and is par- 'ticularly concerned with cooking stoves utilizing-a gas- "e'ous'fuel' and more especially, such gaseous'fuels as'butane; propane and the like, supplied to the stove from pressure containers.

While certain features of the-present-inventive concept are applicable in general to a wide variety of types and stylcs of stoves'the invention is primarily directed towards a-portable gas stove which may be compactly folded *ftir trj'ansportatio'n and readily set up for use. The pres- *ent stoveis thus admirably suited for camping-picnic and patio use, or for more or less permanent installation in boats andti-ailers. However, the invention is'not'nec- :essarilylimited to such uses and may be installed as a hou'sehol d fixture if desired, and-in such use 'may'be :s upplied'withfuel from-a. fixed fuel supply system.

Arnongthe problems encountered in the design, construction and operation of eflicient-and refiectiveportable Lgas'rburning stoves are those of adequate gas supply un- -der uniform pressure, gas distributionrat the burnerto insurea-ba'lanced circular flame of desired range of heat "ingffrom'high to low, and pilot lighting of. the individual burners 'as well as the achievement ofa simple compact assembly appropriately designed to meet thedemandswf economic manufacture. a

With these-and like problems in view it is among the primary objects of the present invention to provide a novel and imprcved-stove-ofsimple and compact structure; whichfwill be: light in wei ht, strong-and durable inyconstruction and which may be readily assembled 'and disassembled without the use of special tools or requirements of special skill.

Another primary object ofthe invention istoprovidea stove ofv the type referred to havinga minimum number of simple easily assembled parts which may. be

a-disassembled and stored in compact manner for. transportation, the size and design of' the parts being such asto permit interfitting thereof when disassembled to facilitatestorage in a confined readily transportable.,man- -ner. e q

I It is also among the objects of the invention tovprovide a-stove construction such that thefstove body may be. usedas an enclosure for .the parts when disassembled-'so as to constitute a carrying caseof. neatappearance and convenient size. This objective is presently achieved, in such manner as to provide storage spaoefor a fuel: receptacle as Well as forthe grates, burners, fuel linesandpilot tubes etc., so that the entiretstoveincluding. its fuel may be readily transported.

Another. specific object of the invention. is to provide a. pilot-lighting system and apparatus for portable stoves of the type referred a pilot fuel, readily controlled, and which will. insure instant and spontaneous ignition of any selected burner when fuel is-supplied thereto. 'iMo're especially it. is an object of the invention to pro- "vide a novel and improved interrelation and combina- -'tion of parts'whereby the-stove may be compacted with to which will be easily supplied withv a minimum of dis-assemblyand with a maximum of space "conservation and whereby the whole constitutesla v foldablegaszcookingstovehavingfeatures of efliciency, convenience, durability and economy of manufacture aS well as operation, not heretofore realized.

Numerous other objects, features, advantages and improvements of the present invention will be apparent "from a c0nsideration of the following specification when taken in connection with the accompanying'drawings,lin

which: v

Figure l is a perspective view of my preferred'form of the invention showing the. stove folded and packed I 'for t ransportation; i Figure Z is a vertical section taken onthe line 2-j-f2 1 5 bfFigurel; I

Figure 3- is a perspective view of the stove shown; in Figures -l-and' 2 openan'dset up ready for use;

Figured is-a top plan view of thestove inoperative position as I in Figure 3 Figure*- 5-'isa vertical section taken on the line 5-5 of Figure 4;-

Figure 6 is a detail sectiontaken on the line 6 -6 of "Figure 5';- V

'EigureV -isa detail section taken in a plane normahto the-'pIane-Of'Figure 6-as indicated by 'the-lines"7-'7 of Figure' '6;

Figure 8--is-a central vertical detailed'section of-the i pilot burner taken on line 12-!1'2 of Figure 3;

-Figure-9.-is adetail perspective showing the pilot" tube 0 and its supporting. means.

' Figure-" 10 is'atop plan-view, partly broken away,--of I the preferred burner" construction; and,

Figure 11- is a 'si'ele'elevation of the 'burner' of Figure l-0,; partly in sectionalong the line 15ll5 of Figure 10. Referring now to the drawingsand more'particularly ".to' Figures 1, 2 and='3'thereof, it will be seenthat the 'base or platform ofthe stove is formed by a pair of similar and matching, hingedly related, supporting and enclosing body 'members IO and-II. Each body member is recessed or cli'sh shaped so that in open, parallel position, asshown in Figure-"I3 they form parallel juxtaposedbase or platform members supporting and partially-enclosing pairs of for- -ward and rear burners 12, 13, 14 and 15 together with th'eirf gas "supply tubes- 16, 1 7, 18 and 19 respectively, as well as their pilot tubes 20, 21, 22 and 23. The structure andarrangement ofwhich will be hereinafter referred to i in moredetail. The outer terminal edges 24 of'the parallel innerwalls25 of each of the are-joined byan elongate hinge member '26 preferable extending the full lengthof such edges and formed'as a pianotype-hinge thusinsuring permanent registration and alignment of the'members. When the members 10 and *11 are fold'ed about the hinge 26 the inner walls 25' together with 'opposite'similarly formed outer walls'27 abut -as shown inFigures 1 and 2' toform a convenient enclosing carrying case.- Forward and rear end walls 28 'and 29; respectively, complete the enclosure when the case' is folded;

I A convenient'carrying'handle 30'is provided pivotally fsebu'red-to one or a pair of keeper plates 31 mounted centrally'of the joining free edges of the outer walls'27. The

keeper" plates '31 are provided'with interdigitating pintle *loops 32'through which a securing=pintle 33 may bein- 1 seite'd to secure the members lll and'll infolded and case "forming position. Obviously other hinge, handle, keeper and securing means may be employed if desired. The

1 present construction, however, provides a simple, effective and economical arrangement insuring minimum weight with maximum strength and durability.

Within the inner and outer walls 25 and 27 and adjacent the longitudinal edges thereof there are provided -=='grate supporting strips"34. Theupperface (as shown in base members 1 0'and'11 Figure 3) of each strip 34 is provided with grate receiving recesses 35. As here shownthe recesses 35 of each strip 34 are three in number, of equal length and equally spaced.

Removably seated within the recesses 35 are the ends 36 of removable grate sections 37 which may be lifted from the recesses and stored longitudinally of the case when so desired.

The burners 12, .13, 14 and 15 are removably secured within the members 10 and 11, preferably in equally spaced relation as shown, by rigid securement to the inner ends of their fuel supply tubes 16, 17, 18 and 19 respectively. Such tubes are in turn removably secured to their members 10 or 11 by clips 38 which partially encircle the tubes.

The burners are preferably of uniform construction and design conforming with the detailed showing of burner 12 in Figures 10 and 11. As shown therein, the burners are formed with a mushroom head 40 to which gas is supplied from the supply tube through a depending integral inlet elbow 41. Communicating with the elbow 41 is a primary gas distribution chamber 42 of circular form, and thcreabove, in open communication therewith, is an enlarged final distribution chamber 43 the top of which is closed by a solid burner plate 44.

The primary gas outlet from the final distribution chamber 43 is by means of equally spaced radial gas ports 45 extending through the side walls 46 of the burner. Uniform and instant ignition and burning of the gas is enhanced by the provision of intermediary jet orifices 47 which are provided with flaring mouths 48 formed by circumferentially extending slots tapering outwardly from the orifices 47 towards the ports 45. By this arrangement the flame in each port instantly ignites flame in any unlighted port next to it. A uniform circular ring of burning gas is thus insured at all times, the smaller orifices acting to insure such uniformity and to re-ignite any port should a sudden gust of wind temporarily extinguish it.

The flared openings 48 ignite the burner all the way around. The smaller associated openings 47 go out when the gas is turned down relatively low, but the larger openings 45 continue to burn and draw, thereby the instant relatively small burners herein disclosed are enabled to serve in lieu of heretofore employed double type conventional burners in which a low flame construction provides a mere warming or small flame, and in which a larger flame construction is provided for rapid heating and cooking. The instant burner construction is of small compass as compared to conventional burners delivering a like amount of heat and flame. Moreover, the instant burner automatically provides both types of flame, for cooking or warming, the latter going out automatically to suit the desired operative conditions.

Automatic individual lighting of the separate burners from a single pilot flame is provided by means of the pilot tubes 20, ll, 22 and 23. Each tube is preferably of uniform diameter but can be provided with an igniting nozzle if desired, tilted upwardly towards its burner and adapted to receive gas when the burner is first turned on. Gas thus supplied to the tube is then ignited at the inner end of the tube from a pilot flame indicated at 51. The tubes of each pair of burners in each member and 11 converge from the burners towards a central portion of the inner wall of the member and are mounted through such wall as indicated at 52 (see Figure 8).

The flame 51 is maintained by gas issuing from an orifice 53 formed in the inner end of a removable pilot gas supply tube 54 beyond which the tube is closed by a cap 55. The pilot gas supply tube 54 is removably secured with the orifice 53 between the adjacent open ends of the tubes 20, 2t, 22 and 23 by a spring wire clip 56, the ends 57 of which are extended through supporting apertures 58 formed in the inner walls 25 between and slightly above the projection of the pilot tubes therethrough.

With the stove in open position the inner end of the 4 tube 54 is secured in position by the ends of the clip. Thereafter a heat and smoke shield 59 is applied through the apertures 58, which assists in directing the smoke and heat towards the opening above ends of the pilot tubes and protects the outer surfaces of the walls 25 from injury by the flame.

Gas is supplied to the pilot gas supply tube 54 and to the burner tubes 16, f7, 18 and 19 from a gas manifold 60 through burner valves 61 and a pilot valve 62. The pilot tube 54- is removably secured over the discharge nipple 63 of the pilot valve 62 and when in operative position lies outside of the case between the outer surfaces of the pivoted inner walls 25. From this location it may be removed and stored within the casing.

The receiving ends of the burner tubes are formed with funnel shaped air mixers 64 (see Figure 7) by means of which they are secured to the walls 25.

Each burner valve 61 is provided with a control handle 65 and a gas supply nipple 66 which is removably extended through the wall 25 to be received within the air mixing chamber 67 formed by the mixer 64. Arcuate air supply vents 63 are also formed in the walls 25 communicating with the mixing chambers 67 under the control of pivotally mounted air adjustment valves 69.

From this construction it will be seen that while the burner tubes and their mixers are removably secured with the casing members 10 and 11, the manifold is fixedly secured to the fuel supply tank and can be simply and easily laid into position.

When in operating position the nipples 66 of the valves 61 are inserted through the receiving apertures of the walls 25 whereby gas is admitted to the tubes selectively upon actuation of. the valves. However, when not in use, the nipples are withdrawn from such apertures and the manifold may be removed.

The manifold 6 is preferably secured by a threaded connection to an elbow 71 communicating with the uniform pressure chamber of a portable fuel receptacle, the structure and operation of which is to be described in greater detail. It will be understood however that the manifold 60, may if desired, be directly connected to a fixed gas supply system when the stove is to be used as a permanent fixture. The manifold 60 may also be connected to other gas containers distinct in character from the fuel receptacle about to be described.

Fuel receptacle of the present invention to which the manifold 60 is secured, referable in a substantially permanent manner, is formed by a substantially cylindrical member having enclosure heads secured upon the body member by a central tie rod.

As previously indicated, the receptacle and manifold are designed for permanent assembly when the device is used as a portable stove. As here shown in such permanent relation the nipples 63 and 66 of the pilot valve 62 and burner valves 61 are disposed in a common plane parallel to and slightly above the axis of the receptacle. By this arrangement the nipples may readily be inserted in the pilot tube 54 and in the mixing chambers 67 as shown. in such position the receptacle extends below the lower surface of the base of the stove and may be supported with the stove on supporting brackets hereinafter to be described.

However it is to be understood that this specific relationship is not necessarily adhered to. The manifold 60 and the receptacle 30 may have a pivotal adjustment about the axis of the manifold through change in the angular relation of the elbow 71 with respect to the manifold. Thus the receptacle may be swung upwardly from the position here shown to be wholly disposed above the plane of the bottom of the stove.

For supporting the receptacle 80 in the position here shown and for securing it with the supply nipples in proper relation to the gas tubes, a foldable bracket is provided 75 comprising a pair of substantially L-shaped ends recessed at 131 on the upper surface of the horizontal legs to receive the ends of the receptacle 80 and an upwardly extending arm 132 provided with a hook 133 to be engaged in a depression 134 of the edges of the end walls 27.

The ends 130 are hingedly secured to a transverse body bar 135 extending therebetween so that they may be folded thereagainst when not in use to facilitate their storage within the case for transportation. For similarly supporting the opposite end of the stove when opened for use, a similar supporting bracket is provided comprising end leg members 136 hingedly secured to opposite ends of a transverse bar 137 against which the legs may be folded to permit flat disposition of the bracket for storage in the case.

As indicated in the drawings the length of the receptacle 80 is somewhat less than the length of the body sections of the stove so that, with the end grates removed, the receptacle with its manifold intact may be stored within the case as shown in Figure 2. In so storing the parts for transportation it will be seen that the pilot tube may likewise be removed from its connection with the manifold and its external securement with the case and stored inside, as may the supporting brackets.

Referring now to Figure in particular, it can be seen that the body of the stove comprising the body members and 11 and their contents as set up for use is supportable upon the portions 130 and .136 in a plane to tally above the table or other supporting surface.

A second position is possible in which the support 136 is removed and the bottom of the body members is permitted to rest directly upon the supporting surface. In

such second position the tank 80 and bracket-support 130 are disposed over the table edge and depend therefrom,

the bottoms of the body members then resting flush on the table top or other support.

The nipples 66, if slightly angulated with respect to their axis as related to the tank can be inserted into their respective mixer chambers 64 or associated burner tubes can permit a third supported position of the stove by supporting the front end of the stove directly on the tank and omitting the bracket support 130.

Referring to Figure 7, the valve plug 125 is preferably formed with a slot-shaped passage 126 to permit more selective adjustment of the gas flow than can be accomplished by matching cylindrical ports between the body and the plug 125. The fine adjustment thus achieved is comparable to the action of a needle-type valve.

From the foregoing it will be seen that the present invention features a novel, simple and eflicient arrangement providing a pilot lighted, four-burner stove which may be easily folded for transportation and which provides its own carrying case when so folded. The number of parts are at a minimum and the facility with which they may be arranged for storage or for use is at a maximum. The invention also features a noveland improved burner construction particularly designed to enhance the efiectiveness of gas combustion in portable stoves of the character set forth which are subjected to winds and ata mospheric conditions not usually encountered in permanent installations.

In considering the present invention it will be understood that the invention is not limited or restricted to the precise structural details herein set forth not to the exact combination and interrelation of parts illustrated and described. And it is therefore to be understood that the invention may be practiced with full use of changes, modification and substitution of equivalents without departure from the spirit or thereof as outlined in the appended claims.

Having described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A portable cooking stove, comprising: a pair of generally rectangular dish-shaped body members each having back, front, inner, outer and bottom walls, the respective inner walls being generally flared upwardly, means hingedly connecting said inner walls along their outer edges, said body members being in substantially horizontal alignment when in open position, burner means recessed in each of said members, said front walls being in the same plane and having openings therein, conduit means communicating between said burner means and said front walls in each member and terminating at said respective openings in the front walls, an elongate pressurized fuel tank including a plurality of fuel outlets therealong, individual valves controlling said outlets, means releasably securing said tank along and outside of said front walls, means for releasably interconnecting the respective fuel outlets to corresponding burner means through said openings in said front walls, the axes of the hinged means and the fuel tank being normal to one another in their assembled condition, said inner walls defining an elongated interspace therebetween and below said hinged means in the open position of the stove, a pilot tube and pilot burner releasably connected to said fuel tank and means for supporting said pilot tube and pilot burner in said interspace, and individual pilot tubes supported in said members communicating between said individual burners and said pilot burner and extending through said inner walls into said interspace for communication in said interspace with said pilot burner.

2. A portable cooking stove as defined in claim 1, said means for supporting said pilot tube and pilot burner in said interspace comprising: a smoke shield engageable with said inner walls, and said pilot tubes extending generally diagonally across said body members in their open position, said individual pilot tubes being fixedly secured in said body members respectively and communicating with said interspace under said smoke shield.

3. A portable cooking stove as defined in claim 1, said fuel tank having an external shape adapted to nest within one of the dish-shaped body members adjacent an outer wall thereof in the closed position of said body members whereby said body members provide a carrying case therefor, and handle means releasably securing said body members together at their outer walls.

References Cited in the file of thispatent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,127,613 Gates Feb. 9, 1915 1,561,672 Strong Nov. 17, 1925 1,775,165 Horsrud et al. Sept. 9, 1930 1,827,951 Mummery Oct. 20, 1931 1,977,267 Endacott Oct. 16, 1934 1,977,268 Endacott Oct. 16, 1934 2,107,972 Antrim Feb. 8, 1938 2,187,169 Mills Jan. 16, 1940 2,403,823 Nelson et al. July 9, 1946 2,444,142 Mueller June 29, 1948 2,544,603 Lamar et al. Mar. 6, 1951 2,560,984 Port et al. July 17, 1951 

